Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affects women worldwide. This cancer begins when abnormal cells grow in the breast tissue and form a tumor. While breast cancer is more common in women, men can also develop it.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, but several risk factors increase a person's chance of developing it. These include:

• Age: The risk of breast cancer increases as a person gets older.

• Gender: Women are more likely to develop breast cancer than men.

• Family history: A person's risk increases if a close family member, such as a mother or sister, has had breast cancer.

• Genetic mutations: Certain gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase a person's risk of developing breast cancer.

• Hormonal factors: Exposure to estrogen and progesterone can increase a person's risk of breast cancer.

Symptoms

The early stages of breast cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, as the cancer grows, it may cause the following:

• A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area.

• Nipple discharge, which may be clear or bloody.

• Changes in the size or shape of the breast.

• Redness or pitting of the skin on the breast.

Prevention

While there is no surefire way to prevent breast cancer, there are several steps a person can take to reduce their risk. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

• Exercising regularly: Regular physical activity can lower the risk of breast cancer.

• Limiting alcohol intake: Women should limit their alcohol intake to one drink per day.

• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding may reduce a person's risk of developing breast cancer.

• Regular screening: Women should have regular mammograms and clinical breast exams to detect breast cancer early.

Treatment

The treatment for breast cancer depends on the stage and type of cancer. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be used.

Oriental Medicine

Oriental medicine, acupuncture, and acupressure are alternative treatment options that some people use to manage the symptoms of breast cancer and the side effects of treatment. While these therapies may not cure breast cancer, they may help improve a person's overall well-being.

Oriental medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of energy, or qi. Acupressure is a similar technique that involves applying pressure to these points with the fingers or hands.

While research on the effectiveness of these therapies for breast cancer is limited, some studies have suggested that acupuncture and acupressure may help reduce pain, fatigue, and nausea in people undergoing cancer treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, breast cancer is a serious disease that affects many people worldwide. While there is no surefire way to prevent it, taking steps to reduce the risk and detect it early can improve a person's chances of successful treatment. Oriental medicine, acupuncture, and acupressure may offer some relief from the symptoms and side effects of breast cancer treatment, but they should be used as complementary therapies alongside conventional medical treatment.

References :

• "Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosis and Management" by Therese B. Bevers, MD and Susan M. Domchek, MD, 2018 - This book provides an in-depth review of breast cancer from a multidisciplinary approach, covering topics such as diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. It also includes chapters on integrative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and yoga.

• "The Breast Cancer Survival Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide for Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer" by John Link, MD, 2017 - This book provides a comprehensive guide to breast cancer treatment and survivorship. It includes chapters on complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and herbal supplements.

• "Acupuncture for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial" by Carolyn V. Chen et al., 2018 - This study examines the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating lymphedema, a common side effect of breast cancer treatment. The study found that acupuncture significantly reduced symptoms of lymphedema compared to standard care.

• "Acupressure for symptom management in cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis" by Stephanie S. Yoon et al., 2018 - This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of acupressure in managing symptoms of cancer, including pain, fatigue, and nausea. The study found that acupressure was effective in reducing these symptoms.

• "Aromatherapy Massage and Acupressure for Symptom Management in Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" by Xin Sun et al., 2020 - This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage and acupressure in managing symptoms of breast cancer, including pain, anxiety, and fatigue. The study found that these therapies were effective in reducing these symptoms.

• "Yoga for women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a randomized controlled trial" by Jean Campbell et al., 2016 - This study examines the effectiveness of yoga in treating lymphedema, a common side effect of breast cancer treatment. The study found that yoga significantly reduced symptoms of lymphedema compared to standard care.

• "Integrative Oncology: Incorporating Complementary Medicine into Conventional Cancer Care" by Donald I. Abrams, MD and Andrew T. Weil, MD, 2014 - This book provides an overview of integrative oncology, which combines conventional cancer treatments with complementary and alternative therapies. It includes chapters on acupuncture, massage, and herbal medicine.

• "Effect of acupuncture on aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia in patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial" by Chao Huang et al., 2020 - This study examines the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors, which are commonly used to treat breast cancer. The study found that acupuncture significantly reduced joint pain compared to standard care.

• "Herbal Medicine for the Management of Cancer Therapy-Related Side Effects" by David S. Rosenthal, MD, 2018 - This book provides an overview of herbal medicine for the management of side effects of cancer treatment. It includes chapters on herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, such as ginseng and astragalus.

• "Massage Therapy for Symptom Control: Outcome Study at a Major Cancer Center" by C. Cassileth et al., 2004 - This study examines the effectiveness of massage therapy in managing symptoms of cancer, including pain, anxiety, and fatigue. The study found that massage therapy was effective in reducing these symptoms.